New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. AP Photo/Hans Pennink.
Amid the beleaguered rollout of New York’s legal cannabis market, frustrated community members gathered for a rally outside Governor Kathy Hochul’s office on Wednesday, June 28. Advocates, business owners, and affected community members called for an immediate opening of the adult-use license application process as required by the 2021 Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).
Participants pointed out that despite the legalization of marijuana in New York, the illegal market continues to thrive due to the state’s inability to realize the equity and economic promise of the MRTA. A mobile billboard unveiled at the rally highlighted New York’s underperformance in generating tax revenue from the cannabis market compared to states with similar adult-use laws.
Among those leading the rally were Rev. Kirsten John Foy, founder, president, and CEO of The Arc of Justice and spokesman for the Coalition for Access to Regulated & Safe Cannabis (CARSC), and social justice activist Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner. The group demands that Gov. Hochul mandate the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to expedite the adult-use license application process to establish a safe, equitable, and economically viable program.
New York, along with 20 other states and the District of Columbia, has legalized marijuana for recreational use. The state put social restoration at the heart of its approach, reserving initial licenses for those disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition or non-profit organizations supporting formerly incarcerated individuals.
Despite these measures, the legal market faces stiff competition from illicit shops. According to estimates by officials and industry experts, there are at least 1,400 unlicensed shops operating in the five boroughs of New York City. Many consumers favor these outlets because of lower prices and greater accessibility compared to legal dispensaries.
Governor Hochul’s…
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